God always has a ram in the brush. One person's's refusal is another person's opportunity. God is not dependent upon man, but man is dependent upon God. God uses people in an effort to bring sinners to repentance. You can't serve God if you don't know Him.
The Old Testament and the New Testament sheds light on individuals who were called to "feed the sheep." Men and women were responsible for making sure that the sheep were fed and that they obeyed the commands of God.
Moses was an great example of one called to lead God's sheep. God called Moses from the wilderness to go to Egypt to lead Israel out of bondage. Moses was reluctant, yet he yielded to God. Moses knew the task would not be easy. He knew man's behavior was like the wind. But he understood the importance of letting God direct his path.
Moses led the children out of bondage. God was their cloud by day and fire by night. Moses would experience the difficulties of leading the sheep. He cried out, "I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy" (Numbers 11:14).
In the New Testament God used the Apostle Paul. Paul's mission was to lead the Gentiles to Christ. Paul believed he could do anything as long as God was in the mix. Paul knew whom he served and he knew that his needs would be supplied. But as God's leader, Paul suffered beyond measure. Paul's satisfaction was knowing his suffering wasn’t in vain. His faith, work, and suffering served to further the gospel.
Jesus Christ, the perfect One left the regal room of heaven to dwell among sinners. So as the time moved closer for Him to ascend to the Father, He took the time to recommission Peter and also to restore him.
When Jesus first met Peter He didn’t question him. But now Jesus ask Peter a serious question that required a serious answer. Jesus begin the commissioning of Peter by asking him three questions, "lovest thou me more than these?" Peter answered by saying, "Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee." Jesus told him, "Feed my lambs." Jesus asked him this question three times paralleling the three times that Peter had denied Him. The repetition of the question truly bothered Peter and it was evident in what the Scripture said after Jesus asked him the third time, "Peter was grieved because he said on the third time, "Lovest thou me?"
Now Jesus started with Peter where we all need to start. The prerequisite for service is our love for Jesus. Loving the sheep and love feeding them are important and necessary for good service, but nothing will ever compensate for the lack of love for Jesus.
A great example is found in the Book of Revelation, when John transcribes the letter from Jesus to the church in Ephesus. Jesus said, "I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary" (Revelation 2:2-3). They had the reputation of not putting up with false teachers. They hated evil and loved preaching. But the Lord says, "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love." They forgot the reason they were doing the works of the ministry and that was supposed to be their first love for the Lord. Today, man's problem is that they don't love God as they should love God. When someone loves God, they will have no trouble loving their neighbors.
Our love for Jesus is a prerequisite for service. Then we can see the precepts for service. A precept is a rule or direction, often with some religious basis, dictating a way you should act or behave.
Jesus not only addressed the love Peter was to have for the Lord, but he also addressed a few important precepts regarding his duties. They have to do with feeding the sheep and following the Savior. When Jesus reinstated Peter he revealed Himself as the Good Shepherd. He showed His love for one of His sheep by forgiving Peter for the three times he denied Him. He showed His love for His flock by commanding Peter to feed and care for His lambs.
After Peter answered each question about love, Jesus commanded Peter to feed His sheep. It wasn't enough for Peter to just say the he loved the Lord, but if he truly loved the Lord then he must serve the Lord by feeding his sheep. The flock belongs to Jesus and Jesus said to "feed my sheep."
Jesus set some mighty examples in His interaction with Peter and the other disciples. We see His relentless love that Jesus has for the individual sheep in His flock. He knows what each one of them needs. He carefully addresses their fears and doubts. With loving discipline he steadily trains each of His sheep so that they are more obedient to Him. He cements the bond between himself and his sheep by reminding them of his great love and constant care.
Those that follow Jesus are His sheep and lambs. I am so thankful that the Good Shepherd cares for each and every one of us. Sometimes we wear that smiling face, but He knows the pain we are hiding. All our fears are known to the Good Shepherd. Our hopes and dreams and the desires of our heart are known to Him as well.
There are times when our Shepherd will confront the sins in our lives as he did Peter. It may be uncomfortable for us and even painful. When we wander from Him He may allow us to experience how bad life can be without him. If we are acting rebellious and stubborn he mat have to employ tough love to get our attention. But in the end everything he does is for our eternal good so that we his sheep and lambs end up in the eternal sheep-pen of heaven.
Jesus cares for his whole flock. Jesus made a prediction about Peter's death after He asked him the same questions three times. He said, "I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!" The all-knowing Good Shepherd had every moment of Peter's life in his hands. Peter would die as a martyr for the gospel. But even then Jesus would be in control and receive Peter into glory.
What a comfort it is for each of us as individuals to know that our Good Shepherd knows when our journey on earth will end and how it will end. We have nothing to fear about in the future because as His children when our journey ends on earth, we will be absent from the body, but present with the Lord. Whether we live to an old age or die unexpectedly, our times are in His hand. As our Good Shepherd he takes care of His sheep, and you should know that He cares for you personally. He knows exactly what we need for your body and for your soul.
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